Short answer
Among Chevrolet Sonic model years through 2024, 2017, 2019 and 2020 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2012 has the most (7). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Chevrolet Sonic: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 9 (2012–2020)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 16
- Fewest recalls
- 2017, 2019 and 2020 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2012 (7)
- Most recalled system
- Electrical system (6)
- 5-star overall rating
- 2012, 2013, 2014 and 6 more years
Chevrolet Sonic Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2019 | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2018 | 1 | 5 stars | Seats |
| 2017 | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2016 | 2 | 5 stars | Electrical system |
| 2015 | 3 | 5 stars | Electrical system, Equipment |
| 2014 | 4 | 5 stars | Air bags, Electrical system, Equipment |
| 2013 | 6 | 5 stars | Exterior lighting, Air bags, Electrical system |
| 2012 | 7 | 5 stars | Air bags, Equipment, Power train |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20200 recalls
- 20190 recalls
- 20181 recall
- 20170 recalls
- 20162 recalls
- 20153 recalls
- 20144 recalls
- 20136 recalls
- 20127 recalls
Chevrolet Sonic: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Chevrolet Sonic recalls are electrical system (6), air bags (5), equipment (4), exterior lighting (2) and fuel system, gasoline (2). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 9 of these 9 model years, and 2012, 2013, 2014 and 6 more years earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Chevrolet Sonic Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Chevrolet Sonic?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2017, 2019 and 2020 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Chevrolet Sonic model years have the most recalls?
2012 has the most, with 7 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Sonic", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy